Dustin Pedroia hit the go-ahead two-run double in the seventh inning as the Boston Red Sox defeated the Chicago White Sox, 5-3, in the series finale at U.S. Cellular Field in Chicago on Sunday afternoon.
Boston won the series, 2-1, but looked like it was going to lose it after the White Sox grabbed a 3-2 lead after four innings off of Red Sox started Andrew Miller, who surrendered three earned runs on 10 hits and had eight strikeouts in five and two thirds innings.
Jason Varitek put the Red Sox on the board first, connecting for a two-run homer to deep left center in the second inning, plating Darnell McDonald and putting Boston on top 2-0.
The White Sox responded by scoring a run in three straight innings to take a one-run lead. Brent Morel doubled to center field in the second inning, scoring Tyler Flowers. Alex Rios had an RBI-single in the third and and Alexi Ramirez also hit an RBI-single in the fourth inning.
Pedroia's two-run double put the Sox up by a run in the seventh, and Adrian Gonzalez doubled to right field, bringing Jacoby Ellsbury around to score and give the Red Sox a 5-3 advantage.
Alfredo Aceves relieved Miller for the Red Sox and picked up his seventh win, allowing a walk and striking out one in one inning. Daniel Bard tossed an inning and a third, allowing one hit and striking out one and Jonathan Papelbon recorded his 24th save, striking out the side in the ninth inning.
Mark Buehrle tossed six innings for the White Sox, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out only two. Jesse Crain was the losing pitcher for Chicago, allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits in a third of an inning. Chris Sale struck out two in one inning pitched and Jason Frasor gave up an earned run and a walk in an inning. Will Ohman pitched the final inning for the White Sox, giving up a hit and a walk.
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